Riding A Camel
Sahara Desert
Morocco
July 2008
I can't believe I rode this damn thing. Camels are exceedingly smelly, uncomfortable and they spit. They have two sets of knee caps so there is a two tier process in getting up. The first step is unnerving for me but the anticipation of the second step is greater and more dreaded that the first step. I had to get on the big hump which bothered me because I thought for sure I was too, too heavy for this big animal with spindle legs. My guide assured me that this beast could withstand even my weight. Then I was told to hold on tight to the metal handle and the camel leaned forward and raised his hind legs. As I jerked forward at the moment, the camel leaned back and nearly bashed my head which is still in the lean forward motion. Then he got up on his front leg and I felt as if I was on top of the world. The ground was a million miles away.
I got on the camel a little lopsided and there were no stirrups to use to straighten myself out. My guide and others with me made repeated comments that it looked as if I might slide off. That is exactly how I felt but I couldn't rectify the situation so I sucked it up, prayed and rode on an angle for three very long hours.
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